trapezoid

noun trap·e·zoid \ ˈtra-pə-ˌzȯid \

|Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of trapezoid

1 a : a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel

b British : trapezium 1a

2 : a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the index finger

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trapezoidal

play \ˌtra-pə-ˈzȯi-dᵊl\ adjective

See trapezoid defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of trapezoid from the Web

Some of them are straight lines, some are spirals and rectangles and trapezoids, and some are animals: whales, ducks, hummingbirds.

— angela chen, The Verge, "Today’s Google Doodle celebrates the scientist who studied the mysterious desert lines of Peru," 15 May 2018
The monument, a 5,000-pound trapezoid of white concrete, is in a small clearing near the center of this tiny Berkshires town, overlooking the Housatonic River.

— dugan arnett, BostonGlobe.com, "Things aren’t looking up for UFO monument in tiny town," 9 May 2018
The bedroom’s shape could be described as a parallelogram attached to a trapezoid.

— joan walden, courant.com, "Property of the Week: 290 Mountain Spring Road, Farmington," 13 Apr. 2018
The aluminum green trapezoid represents greenspace that could occupy the void where the Trade Center plaza once stood.

— william neuman, New York Times, "A Modern Touch at City Hall With Help From a Museum Seeking Money," 5 Apr. 2018
In true Christo form, the trapezoid will rest on a floating platform in the middle of the Serpentine Lake, totally and blissfully out of the context of its natural surroundings.

— liz stinson, Curbed, "Christo’s newest floating sculpture is now under construction in London," 9 Apr. 2018
The shape of the building is an exaggerated trapezoid and the roof surfs up from the harbor like the top of a wave.

— derek blasberg, Vanities, "With Chanel’s Show in Hamburg, Karl Lagerfeld Comes Home," 7 Dec. 2017
The lighting is discreet and natural wood abounds — walls, wine racks, benches and even the ceiling are mosaics of timber triangles and trapezoids.

— providence cicero, The Seattle Times, "A bigger canvas for Seattle’s Art of the Table," 20 July 2017
Floors require specialized cuts with trapezoids and tiny triangles at the edges, and cabinet makers have a tough time working with curved walls.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Oddball, doughnut-shaped SE Portland house sells fast, often and for more than asking price (photos)," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trapezoid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of trapezoid

Origin and Etymology of trapezoid

New Latin trapezoïdes, from Greek trapezoeidēs trapezium-shaped, from trapeza table

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1706

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

TRAPEZOID Defined for English Language Learners

trapezoid

noun

Definition of trapezoid for English Language Learners

: a four-sided shape that has two sides that are parallel and two sides that are not parallel

TRAPEZOID Defined for Kids

trapezoid

noun trap·e·zoid \ ˈtra-pə-ˌzȯid \

Definition of trapezoid for Students

: a flat geometric figure with four sides but with only two sides parallel

Medical Dictionary

trapezoid

noun trap·e·zoid \ ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid \

medical Definition of trapezoid

: a bone in the distal row of the carpus at the base of the index finger — called also lesser multangular, trapezoid bone, trapezoideum

Illustration of trapezoid

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See words that rhyme with trapezoid Spanish Central: Translation of trapezoid Nglish: Translation of trapezoid for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trapezoid for Arabic speakers

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trapezoid

Definition of trapezoid

trapezoidal

Recent Examples of trapezoid from the Web

Illustration of trapezoid

Origin and Etymology of trapezoid

TRAPEZOID Defined for English Language Learners

trapezoid

Definition of trapezoid for English Language Learners

TRAPEZOID Defined for Kids

trapezoid

Definition of trapezoid for Students

Medical Dictionary

trapezoid

medical Definition of trapezoid

Illustration of trapezoid

Learn More about trapezoid

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